#nwsl

after those early mornings where you and trin got a daily iced coffee together, spent late-night strategy sessions meeting with her, winning gold on the same team as her in the olympics, and being there through it all, she has considered you her bestfriend too.

everyone on the team never stops hearing the endless laughter that echoed through the locker room from you and trin.

you, the loud and hyper right-back, always has a joke and is chronically online, pushing out jokes that your teammates do not understand until weeks later. besides, you push everyone, including yourself, to be better and stronger on the pitch outside of the laughter and unseriousness. trinity matched your vibe in her own way, and together, you two were unstoppable and had a bond that felt like family from the jump.

however, life in soccer moves fast and last summer, you transferred to manchester city. it wasn't easy leaving, but the challenge called to you since the english club wanted you for a long time. you're still loud, still hyper, yet still dominating as a right-back.

at least you and trinity have the national team to keep you connected since callups you back together time and again.

when schedules allow, the both of you make the effort to travel and even hop flights just to catch up, and to remind each other that distance doesn't dim the friendship.

if anything, people online have always speculated about you two.

it started with the way you lean into each other during post-game hugs, and the inside jokes that spill over into social media since fans have whispered for years that you might be more than friends.

however, trinity's boyfriends have always been the reality check for where your relationship stands. first, there was that guy with the same name as her, the one you did not like. he rubbed you the wrong way from the start, too cocky, too dismissive of her own respective career

you kept your mouth shut mostly, but trinity saw through it, and eventually, she kicked him to the curb.

good riddance, you thought, watching her bloom without him.

now, though, trinity's glowing with her new boyfriend, ben. at first, you were surprised that she found contact with him, but the world is small. one thing you noticed is that he makes her so damn happy, lighting up her eyes in a way you've never seen before. and the best part? you all click as a trio.

the three of you have the same humor, and the same banter that flows like a well-practiced play. ben's got this infectious energy that matches yours, turning small hangouts into something larger.

trinity never forgets you, even when she's jetting off to europe to watch him compete in matches. one time, a back injury of hers sidelined her from soccer for what felt like forever, leaving her restless but she turned it into an opportunity to explore, and she always loops you in.

"come join us," she had texted one week in december, the day after the last WSL match happened against west ham before holiday break.

you'd rearrange your schedule because why not? friendship like that doesn't come around often.

that's how you ended up in germany last week, crashing their little bubble during the time of one of ben's tournaments. the three of you were wandering the streets, soaking in the crisp air and historic vibes, when the idea hit in trinity's hotel room... let's make a tiktok.

you were the designated third wheel, and honestly, you did not mind it. some people rather feel envy, or awkward being a third wheel but trinity never made you feel that way.

for the tiktok the concept was simple and silly with all of you standing in a triangle, holding hands, and pretend to jump like elegant princesses on the count of three. however, you and trinity had no intention of jumping.

ben would be the one leaping solo, looking like a gleeful fairy mid-air while you two stayed planted, smirking before laughing your lungs out of your body.

you formed the triangle, with your hand slipping into ben's on one side and trinity's on the other. the guy's grip was firm, warm from the sun, but it stirred nothing in you... no spark, no flutter, just the neutral comfort of a friend's touch, same as holding trinity's soft, familiar hand.

you counted down together during the start of the music before ben launched himself up, arms flailing dramatically, while you and trinity held steady, bursting into laughter as he landed with a grin.

the video captured ben's joyful abandon, and your shared mischief with trinity. she posted it on her account, tagging you both, and you didn't think twice about it as you headed back to manchester two days later.

however, social media is social afterall.

the comments started rolling in, and you didn't catch them until you were settled back home, scrolling absentmindedly. at first, it was harmless stuff, fans loving the vibe.

suddenly, you saw those comments.

"oh nooo my man would never."

"do you see how ben and y/n look at each other?"

"trinity is stronger than me."

"I see the chemistry with y/n and ben"

your heart dropped into your stomach as you read more with a scoff escaping your lips. how could they think that? you, simping for your best friend's boyfriend? stealing him away? the idea was ridiculous, insulting even.

anger bubbled up since you'd never go that low, and would never betray trinity like that. however as you calmed down, scrolling deeper, your rational side kicked in.

you've never actually told your fanbase the truth, have you?

its the fact that you're gay, that you have never confirmed. it just… never seemed necessary since you've never paraded a boyfriend around, and never even hinted at one. besides, in the women's soccer world being queer feels like the default, almost. sometimes you've even joked that trinity being straight was the outlier, not you. so why label it when it's just who you are?

now, back in manchester, you're at the training center with the familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and sweat-soaked gear filling the air. you're sprawled on a navy blue yoga mat in the corner of the gym, with your legs spread wide as you stretch your hips, feeling the deep pull in your muscles after a tense session.

your phone's in your hand and your thumb is swiping through x, mind still replaying those tiktok comments.

the gym hums around you with teammates chatting, and weights clinking. some people, like yua, have been sprinting on the treadmill for at least fourty-five minutes. however, you're in your own bubble with the foam roller tucked under your thigh for extra support.

suddenly, a shadow falls to your right and you glance up, with heart skipping a beat as sydney smiles down at you, with her colored eyes sparkling with a playful energy.

she's in her training kit, the same exact one as yours. the short sleeve shirt, the jogger pants, the two of you dressed the same always. however, her hair is tied back with a few fly-aways but still looking effortlessly cool even after drills.

your pulse quickens with a familiar flutter in your chest that you try to play off as you quickly turn off your phone, shoving it aside onto the floor which nearly lands near kerolin's socked foot.

"hey, you," she says, dropping down beside you with a smirk. you move aside, so she can sit on a part of the yoga mat instead of the ground.

"sam told me why you've been on your phone so much.... do they really think that you want your bestfriend's boyfriend?"

you roll your eyes, shifting a bit on the mat to face her better, with your hyper energy bubbling up despite the annoyance.

"you're asking questions about me, lohmann?"

she laughs, leaning in closer with her shoulder brushing yours in a way that sends a spark through your entire nervous system, "oh, I have. besides, i know a lot about you, y/n.... but seriously, those comments were insanity."

you sigh, stretching your arms overhead to loosen up, feeling the mat cool against your back, "yeah, well, i don't even swing ben's way... like, at all."

syd's smirk deepens, her eyes locking onto yours with that flirty edge that always makes your stomach flip.

"oh, i know. you swing my way."

you can't help but smile, leaning in just a fraction, matching her energy.

"only your way, syd. nobody else's."

that's when sam saunters over, with her timing impeccable as always as she eyes the foam roller you've been using.

"sorry to interrupt the lovebirds," she says with a grin, nudging your leg with her foot, "but i need to borrow that foam roller. you've hogged it for like an hour, mate. I'd borrow lelia's but she already said no."

you scoff, playfully reluctant as you slide it out from under you and hand it over to your national teammate and friend, "fine, take it... but don't say i never did anything for you like you told alyssa back at camp."

sam snatches it up, then gives your shoulder a purposeful bump on her way out, hard enough to jostle you but light enough to be a joke, "whatever! but thanks, champ. carry on with the flirting."

you and syd burst into laughter as she walks away with the sound echoing in the gym. however, sydney's still looking at you like she knows exactly what she's doing to your heart.

that reply was sent in the car after training that day. after you hit send on that tweet, your mentions exploded even though you've long since silenced your phone. yes, there were a few defensive comments insisting they "meant no harm," and the inevitable wave of people who suddenly act like they've always known that you weren't into people like ben, but still.

you came out publicly not because you were ready in some grand, planned way, but because the alternative of letting the hate and speculation fester was worse. was it forced, technically, but but now it felt necessary. the app was muted for a bit, and you tossed your phone across the room, and try to sleep.

however, trinity's text comes through around five am your time with a string of laughing emojis.

bro sam mewis asked me about this, and that tweet is sending me😭😭

you're savage i love it!

opening your messages ten minutes later, you smiled despite yourself. reacting to her message with a laughing emoji, you send her a message back.

I had to shut the rumors down somehow, lol.

a few more messages go ping-pong with trin roasting the wildest comments after you sent screenshots of the funniest supportive ones. that is until she types this.

can i call you? miss your voice y/n.

it's already pushing midnight in dc for her, but you know her sleep schedule is chaotic anyway and she'd stay up regardless if you're calling her or not.

yeah of course, gimme a sec!

you roll out of bed, and pad to the kitchen in your oversized man city hoodie in thirty seconds while flicking on the kettle for tea to wait for the facetime ring.

the call connects at 5:34 your time, and manchester is still dark outside your window with streetlights glowing orange against the pre-dawn gray.

trinity's face fills the screen, propped up in bed with pillows everywhere, her braided hair in a messy bun while wearing one of those ancient academy hoodies she refuses to retire.

the dc skyline peeks through her curtains behind her, and it is completely dark and nighttime where she is.

"morning, superstar," she says with her voice soft, the way it always gets when it's just you two, "or… whatever time it is over there. you look like you haven't slept."

you laugh, leaning against the counter with steam rising from your pink colored mug, "barely. I don't know, people are feral and I keep thinking about it.... but hi. are you good?"

"i'm good," she promises, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, "but seriously, if you're wondering those comments never got to me... like not even a little. i know you, y/n. you'd never stoop that low and ben knows it too. we were laughing about those comments before i even saw your tweet."

you exhale, with your shoulders dropping a fraction, "i know. i just… got scared you'd see them and misread it the way they did. like, the way some of those people worded it was gross. i didn't want you thinking even for a second—"

she cuts you off with a gentle laugh, shaking her head on the screen, "never, because that is not possible. you're my ride or die and that is the end of story."

the knot in your chest loosens and you take a sip of tea, letting the warmth settle, "good because i'd fight anyone who tried to come between us.... even hypothetical idiots on the internet."

"noted." she grins, then her expression shifts.

suddenly, she props her phone higher so you can see her fully lean forward like she's about to spill tea.

"speaking of crushes and stuff…"

you groan, already knowing where this is going, but you can't hide the smile tugging at your lips as you take a sip of your mint tea, "trinity…"

"no, no, hear me out." she points at the camera like she's scolding you, "are you finally gonna ask out ms. germany? because the way you two were flirting in that training video sam sent me? come on, you were down bad."

ms. germany is a codename for sydney that trinity and you came up with during national camp back in september, since you wanted nobody else to know about your attraction at the time.

anyways, you rub the back of your neck with heat creeping up your face even though she's thousands of miles away.

"yeah, okay, I was and that's fine. but i was thinking about doing it after the next national break. that is in a week and we'll have some downtime with no club obligations. I think it feels like the right moment."

trinity's eyes light up, big and excited, "yes! yes! you need to lock that in, y/n. like, properly lock it in. she's been looking at you like you're the only person in at your club since forever... don't chicken out now, I won't allow you to."

you laugh, the sound echoing quietly in your empty kitchen, "i'm not chickening out. I promise. i'm locked in. just… gotta find the right way to say it. you know how i'm loud on the pitch sometimes...off of it sometimes the words get stuck."

"you'll figure it out," she says confidently, "and when you do, i want full details. I am not kidding I want screenshots, and voice notes. i'm invested."

"deal." you smile, feeling lighter than you have in days, "thanks for the pep talk. and for… you know. being you."

"always," she replies softly, "now go get some actual sleep before training. love you, idiot."

"love you more, stupid."

(a/n: I love making these tweets like its real life LOLL)

tweets related to this AU linked here